Life Cycle Assessment as a Catalyst for Embedding Sustainability in Waste Management Practices

Abstract

The establishment of sustainable campuses acts as a catalyst, fostering a Living Lab environment where active community engagement is crucial. Recognizing the pivotal role of waste management, university campuses prioritize detailed mapping and characterization of organic waste streams. This process paves the way for the identification of alternative scenarios that reduce and divert waste from landfills through valorization routes such as composting and anaerobic digestion. Acknowledging students' pivotal role in shaping sustainable solutions, their perceptions of solid waste separation assume significance. The effectiveness of the current separation system is critical, especially given the monitoring of bin contamination levels, revealing hindrances to organic waste valorization. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) emerges as a valuable tool for identifying alternative scenarios for waste reduction and diversion, encompassing anaerobic digestion, composting, and waste-to-food strategies. This study centers on evaluating and reshaping student perspectives on organic waste separation and end-of-life waste management through LCA. A comprehensive survey was designed to elucidate current perspectives on the efficiency and communication of the existing waste management system. Student insights into waste separation practices revealed that the major barriers to effective waste management practices on campus include a lack of education and awareness regarding waste separation. The survey findings also underscore the significance of LCA not only in measuring carbon footprints but also in influencing perceptions and behaviors towards sustainable waste management practices. In conclusion, our study contributes to the discourse on embedding sustainability in educational settings, offering valuable insights for institutions aspiring to drive positive change through innovative waste management strategies.

Keywords

• Waste Management
• Sustainable development
• Life cycle assessment

References

1. Barajas-Alvarez, P., Gonzalez-Lopez, M.E., Gradilla-Hernandez, M.S., Silveyra-Leon, G. & García-Cayuela, T. (2024). Life cycle assessment as a catalyst for embedding sustainability in waste management practices. The Eurasia Proceedings of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (EPSTEM), 28, 308-316.